05 Sep Birding and Beyond
Tailor-Made Birding Tours for Every Enthusiast
Uganda is a birder’s paradise, with over 1,000 species to search for in the savannah, wetlands, and forests.
Explore locations like the Royal Mile, Mabamba wetlands and many of our wonderful national parks, each different from the others. You will find our primates and big game in many of the same locations if you prefer birding as part of a general wildlife safari.
We design birding tours for everyone, from groups of novice or expert birders to couples with diverse interests, and travellers with a general love of nature, not just birds. You will have a custom-made itinerary, depending on your target species, and be accompanied by expert bird guides.
Birding in Uganda is productive all year round but June-Sept (especially July/August) is when Intra-African species are visiting and many birds are in breeding plumage. It is also a dry season.
So, grab your binoculars, scopes, and cameras and get ready for a birding bonanza!
Uganda’s only endemic species
Balancing Birding and Leisure
Are you an avid birder but your partner…not so much?
Here at Venture, we pride ourselves on crafting bespoke itineraries that accommodate all guests, so there’s something for all/both of you to enjoy.
Alternate between birding and other activities. For example, enjoy a morning’s birding together, followed by an afternoon visiting a local coffee farm. Go gorilla tracking together in Bwindi Impenetrable forest and, the next day, explore this fantastic birding location with a local bird guide while your partner enjoys the lodge spa and some ‘me time’ with their book.
Imagine joining a site guide to search for the Shoebill and other birds in the wetlands, while your partner visits an island chimpanzee sanctuary with your safari guide. Meet up in the late afternoon for a relaxing sunset boat cruise.
The options are endless so, for the trip of a lifetime, chat with us and we’ll put together your perfect, personalised itinerary.Search for Shoebill by Local Fishing Boat
Search for Shoebill by Local Fishing Boat
Wetland birding by local wooden fishing boat
The elusive shoebill is a fascinating bird with prehistoric features such as its distinctive beak. Getting a glimpse of the shoebill is something most birders prioritise, and one of the best places to look for them is in the Mabamba wetlands.
Make your way through the narrow channels in a small wooden boat with the local boat owner and a site guide. Look for birds like the Papyrus Gonolek, Purple Swamphen and Malachite Kingfisher in the dense papyrus or open pools of the swamp. With the skills of your local guides and a bit of luck, you’ll spot the Shoebill, standing tall and still, as it waits to strike its prey in the water or you may glimpse it flying in the skies above.
Read more in our blog about bird-watching at Mabamba here.
Forest Birding at The Royal Mile
Forest Birding at The Royal Mile
The Royal Mile, in Budongo forest, is an outstanding forest birding location in Uganda. This mile-long, private road stretches through the forest, and is home to many stunning birds, including Nahan`s Francolin, Blue-Breasted Kingfisher, Rufous Flycatcher Thrush and White-thighed Hornbill, to name just a few.
The forest is also home to primates like chimpanzees and various monkeys, small mammals like Elephant Shrew and many butterfly species and, for non-birders, a nature walk amongst the giant mahogany and ironwood trees is also a joy.
Choose a full- or half-day of bird watching, accompanied by a local expert bird guide, and you may also learn something about local history, culture and how the Royal Mile got its name!
Contact us to include The Royal Mile in your birding tour of Uganda.
Stay at Primate Lodge, Kibale
Primate Lodge, Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park is famous for its large population of chimpanzees (and 12 other primate species!) and its 325 bird species that inhabit the forest. So it’s a must-see location on any Uganda birding tour.
Explore forest trails, with a knowledgeable guide, in search of some delightful birds like the Yellow-billed Barbet, Joyful Greenbul and Green Breasted Pitta.
And where better to stay than Primate Lodge, tucked away in the forest, next to the starting point for chimp tracking? The lodge offers great food and service and has spacious cottages with stunning interiors and an outside veranda to enjoy views of the forest (and squeeze in a little more birding!).
Interested in staying here on your birding safari? Let us know and we’ll book your stay
Discover Semuliki
Semuliki National Park is well known as a birding hot spot. This extension of the Congo Ituri forest offers the only chance in Uganda to see some of the Guinea-Congo forest bird species like Hartlaub’s Duck, Chestnut-breasted Nigrofinch and Western Bronze-napped Pigeon.
In addition, you may find other primates and mammals like the De Brazza’s monkey, Giant Forest hog and forest elephant.
You may also wish to visit the amazing Sempaya hot springs. The male and female springs produce clouds of steam and eruptions of water so hot you could cook an egg in them!
If you are a birder, or a birder travelling with a non-birding partner, we would recommend including Semuliki in your personalised itinerary.
Go Off The Beaten Track in Eastern Uganda
Kidepo Valley National Park
Sometimes, the road less travelled leads to the best birding opportunities.
Go off the beaten track on a birding tour of eastern Uganda and visit locations such as the extensive wetlands of Lakes Opeta and Bisina, Mount Elgon National Park, Pian Upe and Matheniko wildlife reserves and Kidepo Valley National Park on the border with South Sudan. Look out for species like Ostrich, Karamoja Apalis and maybe even the endemic Fox’s Weaver, if that is one of your target birds.
With fewer tourists, authentic cultural experiences and stunning landscapes to travel through, not to mention the amazing wildlife, eastern Uganda offers something in addition to the chance to observe some very special bird species.
To visit these hidden gems, get in touch with our friendly team.